Review: Cantu Apple Cider Vinegar Root Rinse

8:43 AM

Root Rinse is new bae.

I'm a total sucka for new products.

There, I said it.

About a week or so ago, I was perusing Sally's and Cantu's new Refresh line of products caught my eye. After looking over the options, I decided it was my solemn duty as a blogger and product junkie to take one for the team and purchase a bottle of the Cantu Refresh Apple Cider Vinegar Root Rinse.

It looked interesting, the ingredients were (shockingly) amazing, and the price was just right. Plus, you know Sally's will let you return your left sock if you ask nicely.

So what exactly is this stuff, and how does it work? Keep scrolling for the 411!

Vinegar: Apple Cider Vinegar is believed to have a ton of internal and external benefits, including being able to kill lice, serve as an antimicrobial agent (warding off infection), and helping to ease the itching and flakiness associated with scalp conditions such as dandruff, psoriasis, and seborrheic dermatitis. Apple Cider Vinegar is also touted for its ability to improve the shininess of hair and increase moisture retention by causing cuticles to lay flat via pH balancing the hair. Through this same mechanism, it is also believe that Apple Cider Vinegar can correct hair porosity issues.

Tea Tree Oil: Essential oil with known antibacterial and antifungal properties. Tea tree oil assists in naturally cleansing the scalp, fighting itchiness and flakes that are common with dandruff, psoriasis, and sebhorreic dermatitis

Shea Butter: Emollient fat from the nut of the East or West African shea nut tree used to moisturize and soften hair.

Hydrolyzed Baobab Protein: Water-soluble protein extract derived from the baobab fruit that provides anti-aging and UV protection benefits to the hair, along with damage recovery, damage protection, strength, and conditioning.

Panthenol: Form of vitamin B that can penetrate the hair, and is known to moisturize and soften.

Oat Beta-Glucan: Solution of soluble oat bran fibre that has been shown to soothe skin, reduce redness, and provide relief for skin conditions that cause redness or discomfort (like dandruff, eczema, psoriasis, and sebhorreic dermatitis). It improves the tensile strength of hair, while moisturizing dry and flaky scalp.

Bilberry Extract: Relative of the blueberry, and equally rich in antioxidant properties. Research has shown that bilberry extract improves scalp circulation and strengthens collagen production, leading to healthy hair re-growth.

Protein Free?

Nope!

Curly Girl Friendly?

Methinkso - no cones, no sulfates.

The Good

I'm not gonna lie to you, I went into this purchase with the side eye of all side eyes. First of all, I've been doing my own DIY ACV Rinses on wash day for about a month now (with fantabulous results, might I add). I've known for some time that my hair loves and responds favorably to Apple Cider Vinegar. But did I need a super fancy concoction, or would my simple solution work?

Like, I was all set to make a blog post sharing my simple ACV rinse recipe and stuff, but I don't even want to now. Cantu done stole my shine.

Not quite water, not quite serum.

The consistency of the root rinse is thicker than water, but not by much. It reminds me of a really thin serum. it glides right over the hair, coating it without running directly off. Here's the kicker though - it has a slight foaming action. Not full-on shampoo, but a slight sudsiness that makes you feel like some actual cleaning is happening. Beyond that, I'm quite floored with the ingredient list. Although I stopped deep-diving into ingredients years ago (because the first 5-7 ingredients after water comprise the bulk of the product and have the most impact on hair), I'll just say this - from beginning to end, Root Rinse has a stellar ingredient list.

But that's not even the real magic.

The real magic is this - somehow, some way...it has SLIP. As in, I detangled with Root Rinse.

What you see here is the reason why I love ACV on my hair - shine, softness, smoothness, supple curls, and mad shrinkage. My curls become the healthiest versions of themselves and pop to extreme levels when apple cider vinegar is in the mix.

And as you can see, Cantu's Apple Cider Vinegar Root Rinse lived up to and surpassed my expectations. Even though it's marketed for women rocking braids, wigs, weaves, and other protective styles, it beyond blessed my regular ol' curls.

The Bad

The only downside is, I can see myself going through this stuff fairly quickly. Although 5 bucks is more than affordable for 12oz of product, I'd love to see a 33.8 salon back bar size. But then again, I'm just being greedy.

The Bottom Line

Cantu's Apple Cider Vinegar Root Rinse has earned a spot in my regimen. I can't decide if I'm using it to replace co-washing, or regular shampooing. But it's in there like swimwear, for sure.

Would I Buy it Again?

At the time of publication, I've already purchased 2 more in addition to the 1 I initially had. Sooooo yeah. There's that.

Have you tried any of Cantu's new products? Admittedly, this was my first foray into Cantu. Let me know in the comments below if you'll be checking out the Apple Cider Vinegar Root Rinse!

I've been wanting to try ACV for my hair but I couldn't get with the smell of the pure product. I'm also too lazy to do a DIY concoction every time so I'm glad there's something I can use straight out the bottle. I know exactly what I'm getting with my next Sally's coupon lol

Christina,Thank You so much for sharing your experience and the breakdown of the ingredients. My 4yo daughter recently was diagnosed for seborrhic dermatitis. Her 4B/4c hair was growing fabulous before this started and I started beating myself up when the scalp irritation started and wanting to know where did I go wrong :( I stopped going to the dermatologist and started doing my own DIY for her hair until today. I went to the beauty supply store and came across CANTU ACV Root Rinse and immediately said I have to buy it bc this might help her scalp. I'm going to try it on my hair as well and let you know how it came out.Truly appreciate you sharing your hair experience.

It's definitely a rinse out. They have two other products in their line that can be used to refresh the scalp and not rinsed out - one is a dry co-wash (I think), and the other comes in a pointed tube.

I ran across your blog while looking for reviews on this product. First let me say I love your honesty and sense of humor. I absolutely love this product, I have 4c hair, all the tangles slid right out and I got the best scalp cleansing of my life!!!